Menstrual Hygiene Day 2026 | Together for a Period-Friendly World

It started with laughter. 

The kind of laughter that fills a school yard when students are gathered under a tree, outside the classroom, friends teasing each other, and nobody is quite sure what is about to happen next.

On May 28th, 2026, students from Nkoarisambu and Oljoro Secondary Schools gathered for what many thought would be just another school event.

Some came because their teachers told them to. Some came because they heard there would be visitors. Some came hoping to miss a lesson or two. And a few came carrying questions they had never asked anyone before.

By the end of the day, something beautiful had happened.

More than 316 girls, 40 boys, and 10 teachers and school leaders had shared stories, learned together, laughed together, and discovered that menstruation is not something to hide, fear, or be ashamed of.

For Her Journey to School (HJTS), this was not simply a celebration of Menstrual Hygiene Day. It was a celebration of confidence, dignity and of girls realizing they are not alone.

“I Thought It Was Only Me” 

Among the students was a quiet Form Three girl. Let’s call her Neema. 

Neema lives in a rural community where conversations about menstruation rarely happen openly. When she got her first period, nobody had explained what was happening to her body. She remembers feeling confused, scared then embarrassed.

Whenever her period came, she worried constantly.

Would her uniform get stained? Would somebody notice? Would the boys laugh?

Sometimes she stayed home from school. Sometimes she sat silently in class, unable to focus on the lesson because she was worried about something far bigger. And perhaps the hardest part of all? She thought she was the only one.

But on this day, surrounded by hundreds of other girls, Neema learned something powerful. She was not alone. Not even close.

The Question Box Nobody Could Stop Talking About 

One of the most popular activities of the day was a simple box, nothing fancy, just a box where students could anonymously write questions. After being provided with papers to write the question, within minutes, papers started pouring in. The questions came from everywhere. 

Can I play sports during my period?

Why do some girls have painful cramps?

How often should I change a pad?
Is menstruation a sickness?

Each question represented something important: a student brave enough to seek answers. And every answer from the facilitator helped replace fear with knowledge. As the nurse answered each question, something beautiful happened; Students began to realize that there is no shame in learning about their bodies. 

But the conversation did not stop with menstruation. The session also explored sexually transmitted infections (STIs), Early Pregnancy, and the challenges associated with child and early marriage. 

Using age appropriate educational pictures and real life examples, students learned how certain infections spread, how they can be prevented, and why seeking accurate health information is important.

At first, the room became very quiet because students looked carefully at the images being presented. Some were surprised, others were shocked, since many had never seen or heard such information explained openly before.

The nurse spoke honestly about the realities faced by young people and the importance of protecting their health, staying focused on education, and making informed decisions about their

future. The discussion on early marriage sparked especially thoughtful conversations. Students reflected on how marrying too young can affect a girl’s education, health, independence, and future opportunities.

Eliakunda Kaaya, the founder of Her Journey to School, (read more about her story here) https://www.teenvogue.com/story/elly-kaaya-michelle-obama-obama-foundation-global-gi rls-alliance-interview challenged the students with a simple but powerful question: 

“What happens to a dream when a girl is forced to leave school too early?” 

The room fell silent. Then she answered: 

“The dream becomes delayed. It becomes harder to reach. Sometimes, it disappears altogether.” 

That answer stayed with many of us. Because behind every school uniform is a dream. A future nurse,teacher, doctor, and entrepreneur, leader and a great mother for her family. Every girl deserves the chance to grow, learn, and decide her own future before taking on the responsibilities of marriage and parenthood very early.

By the end of the session, students were not only more informed about menstrual health, but they also had a better understanding of the choices, challenges, and opportunities that will shape their lives in the years ahead. And perhaps most importantly, they learned that knowledge is power. The more young people know, the better prepared they are to protect their health, stay in school, and pursue their dreams. 

Boys as allies

Now let’s talk about the boys, who were the highlights of the day. 

Some girls expressed how sometimes boys bully them when they see pads in their bags. The facilitator reminded them that they are brothers, future fathers / husbands and even Doctor’s. Hence it was in their duty to understand, end the stigma and be supportive to their fellow students in their menstruation.

At first, they were shy, very shy. There was plenty of giggling. A few nervous smiles, some whispered conversations. Then something unexpected happened; they became curious.

Soon they were listening carefully. Asking questions. Participating in demonstrations on the proper way to use a non reusable pad. Learning how menstruation works and why supporting girls matters.

By the end of the session, many of the boys understood something that adults sometimes forget. Periods are not just a girls’ issue,They are a community issue. A school issue. A human issue. Creating a period-friendly world means everyone has a role to play.

More Than Pads 

Of course, sanitary pads and cleaning materials were distributed, bringing immediate relief to many girls who were indeed of them. 

But something even more valuable was shared that day: 

Knowledge 
Confidence 
Understanding 
Freedom to ask questions without shame 
Reassurance that their bodies are normal 
Encouragement to stay in school and pursue their dreams 

Because a pad can support a girl for a few days, but knowledge can support her for a lifetime.

Why This Work Matters to HJTS 

In many rural communities, menstruation continues to be surrounded by silence. Some girls miss school. Some struggle without access to menstrual products. Others grow up believing myths that affect their confidence and wellbeing. 

That is why Her Journey to School continues to invest in girls through education, mentorship, health awareness, and safe spaces where young people can learn openly. And believes every productive and constructive conversation matters. Every question matters.Every girl matters. 

The Future We Are Building

As the event came to an end, students returned to their classrooms carrying packets of pads, new information, and a little more confidence than they had till in the evening. The laughter was still there. But now it sounded different, Lighter, Stronger, Hopeful and somewhere among the crowd was Neema; a girl who arrived thinking she was alone later A girl who left knowing she wasn’t. 

That is the future, HJTS we are building. One conversation. One school. One girl at a time. 

Join Us 

Creating a period-friendly world cannot be done by one organization alone. It takes teachers, parents, health professionals, community leaders, partners, and supporters who believe that; Every girl deserves to attend school with confidence, dignity, and the knowledge needed to make informed decisions about her future. 

By supporting Her Journey to School, you help provide menstrual health education, better infrastructure, clean and running water, sanitary products, mentorship, and safe spaces where girls can thrive. 

Together, we can ensure that no girl misses her education because of her period. 

Whether through partnership, sponsorship, donations, or advocacy, you can help us ensure that no girl misses her education because of her period.